Permutation device



J y is, 194 Lwmsm 29mm PERMUTATION DEVICE Filed Feb. 24, 1939 INVENTOR.

Patented July 16, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 21 Claims.

This invention relates to a permutation device in the nature of a switchespecially intended for use with amusement apparatus. The principalobject of the invention is the provision of a ball having a plurality ofconductive and nonconductive surface portions, and a nest of contactsthrough which circuits are closed by engagement with the conductivesurfaces of the ball, the arrangement of said surfaces being such thatthey are irregularly dimensioned or positioned, so that the particularcircuits which will be establed at any given time will depend upon themanner in which the ball lies in the nest.

Another important object of the invention is the provision of aconductive ball having nonconductive surface portions arranged in apredetermined pattern for permutable contacting engagement with aplurality of contacts whereby different circuits may be set up dependingupon how the various conductive and non-conductive surface portions onthe ball are disposed with respect to the contacts.

Another object is the combination with an amusement device such as aball-rolling game, of a conductive ball having relatively nonconductivesurface portions, and a bank of contacts arranged in a circle into whichthe ball fits so that the various conductive surface portions thereofmay engage the contacts in various arrangements, depending upon how theball happens to rest in the bank, circuit connections to the contactsbeing combined and permuted through the ball for the purpose ofcontrolling signals, score indicators, objective scoring circuits, orany other changeable circuit means.

Other objects and novel aspects of the invention reside in certaindetails of the construction and arrangement of parts, and thecombination, hereinafter described in 'view of the annexed drawing inwhich:

Fig. 1 is a circuit diagram;

Fig. 2 is a top perspective of the contact nest;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section through a ball game board with thepermutation device in operative position;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section through the bottom of the contact nestlooking in the direction of lines 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a plan View of the inside of the contact strip before it isrolled to form the nest.

The invention is briefly exemplified in its broader aspects in Fig. 1,wherein a metal ball Ill is provided with a plurality of non-conductiveareas or spots H, preferably distributed in an uneven pattern over thesurface of the ball, and

preferably of uneven or unequal size or area. The object of thisnon-uniformity of distribution and size is to provide for thedisposition of conductive surfaces in different relative positions forcontacting engagement with different spring contacts l2 whenever theposition of the ball is changed relative to these contacts.

Certain contacts l3, l4, 15, in the group are looped or connectedtogether with a conductor l6 which is connected to one side of a powersource or battery 11. The return side of the battery is connected by acommon conductor 68 to one terminal of each of a plurality or bank ofcontrolled instrumentalities such as the signal lamps a, b, 0, etc., theremaining terminal of each of these lamps being respectively connectedto one of the ordinary contacts 12 of the group or nest of contacts.

Examination of the disposition of the ball in Fig. 1 will show that thecontact I3 is engaged with one of the insulated spots H, so that nocircuit is established with the ball by contact I3; but contacts l4 and15 both are touching the bare conductive surface of the ball, and hencethe battery, or one terminal thereof, is connected to the conductiveball. Further examination of Fig. 1 will disclose that the contacts [2which are connected through conductors [9 with lamps b and e happen tobe touching bare surfaces on the ball, and as a result current will flowfrom the battery through these particular lamps b and e, and the samewill be illuminated. If the position of the ball be changed slightly,some of the other lamps might be illuminated instead. Thus, a greatvariety of combinations and permutations of circuits may be effectedthrough the lamps a, b, c f by changing the position of the ball as itrests against the contacts.

A preferred form of the contact bank or nest is shown in Fig. 2, andincludes a cylindrical sleeve or collar 20 of insulating material, suchas fibre, having a plurality of spring contact fingers [2 attached inspaced relation around the inner surface thereof by means such as theriveted or peened inner ends 23 of contact plugs 22, which extendoutwardly of the outer surface of the collar for engagement withcomplementary connection plugs 24 (Fig. 3). The opposite unattached endsof the several contact fingers l2 are preferably tapered so that theymay be bent inwardly to engage the ball Iii as shown in Fig. 3.

Means are provided in the nest for releasably holding the ball therein(Fig. 4) said means including a pair of wire rods 21 crimped at one end28 to fit into holes 30, the opposite portions of the rods extendingthrough circumferentially elongated slots 29 in the wall of the collaropposite the holes 30 and terminating in outwardly flared crimps 32 forspreading engagement with the nose of a releasing wedge 36. Crimps 3!are formed in the outer parts of the rods behind the endmost crimps 32to provide seating means for engagement with the ends of a spring 33which normally draws the two rods together into substantially parallelrelation as seen in full lines in Fig. 4. In this latter condition, thedistance between the two rods is slightly less than the diameter of theball I so that the latter will rest on the rods and be retained in thenest as shown in Fig. 3.

In order to release the ball, the wedge 34 is moved toward the nestagainst the crimps 32 until the rods are spread apart against thetension of the spring, whereupon the ball may drop between the rods outof the nest. The wedge may be operated in conjunction with a mastercontrol lever in a game or the like. When the wedge is withdrawn, spring33 restores the rods to normal position.

In Fig. 3 the contact bank or nest is shown in combination with a ballgame board 2!, mounted on the underside of the board by screws in themounting angle brackets 25. The passage or opening in the nest isaligned with a ball opening or exit 2m in the board and through whichthe ball it passes into the nest to rest on rods 21 in contact with thespring fingers l2.

The nest may be constructed in various forms, a preferred one of whichis the simple cylindrical sleeve 20 depicted, and which is madeconveniently from the fiat strip of insulating fibre shown in Fig. 5.The several holes 29 and 30 for the supporting means, as well as theholes for the rivet ends 23 tohold the contact fingers in place, andholes for the rivets or eyelets employed to secure the ends of the striptogether, are all punched at a single operation. When the contacts areriveted in place, the ends of the strip are brought together about acylindrical form and riveted together, one-of the rivets or eyeletsemployed for this purpose also securing the left-hand bracket 25 (Figs;2 and 3) in place, the right-hand bracket 25 being held by one of theends 23.

The circuit changing device or ball may be made by applying thin spotsof a suitable enamel or glazing material to the surface of the usualnickel or chromium plated metal ball, different colors being employed torender the ball attractive. The surface of the ball may be streakedinstead of spotted. The metal surface may be rendered negligiblyconductive in spots by oxidation. Equivalent arrangements include theuse of a molded ball with surface depressions filled with anon-conductive plastic; or the use of a non-conductive plastic or likematerial for the ball and precipitating a thin coating of metal such assilver from solution (e. g. silver nitrate) in spots on the surface ofthe ball. The metal ball painted is preferred for simplicity, and thesurface of such a ball constitutes a continuum which iselectro-conductive. However a nonconductive ball (plastic) could beemployed with areas of metallic particles or filings pressed therein invarious densities.

The electrical instrumentalities or lamps, a, b,

0, etc. may be arranged to designate score values for various ball exitssuch as the hole 2H1, there being one ball IEI projected onto the board2| before or after other. balls to predetermine such score values ortotalize the same, the ball It] being of different diameter than theother balls, as would be the hole Zia, so that the other balls could notenter the nest. However, the application of the invention is notintended to be restricted to amusement apparatus such as described, butmay be used for a variety of circuit changing purposes; for example, aplurality of contact banks or nests may be arranged in alignment withthe rods 21 omitted, and the ball 10 passed successively therethroughfor transient engagement with the various contact fingers to change lampconnections, for example, in an advertising device. Nor need thecontacts l2 be arranged only as shown; any arrangement is contemplatedin which the ball may variously engage a plurality of contacts eithertransiently or at rest. Other arrangements will occur to those skilledin the art, and the invention is therefore not confined to the detailsset forth in the exemplary description, but is to be broadly interpretedin accordance with the annexed claims.

Having thus described and explained my invention, what I claim anddesire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States is Circuitchanging means comprising, in combination, a conductive ball having amultiplicity of non-conductive surface areas thereon, and a multiplicityof contacts arranged for contacting engagement with the surface of saidball to establish circuit connections therethrough for permutation andcombination depending upon whether said contacts engage conductive ornonconductive surface portions thereon.

2. Circuit changing means comprising, in combination, a plurality ofcontacts numbering more than two disposed in circular array, and a ballhaving a plurality numbering more than two of conductive andnon-conductive surface areas thereon and adapted to be moved into thecenter of the group of said contacts for engagement therewith, andcircuit connections established in permutation and combination throughsaid contacts and ball dependent upon whether said contacts engageconductive or non-conductive surface areas as aforesaid.

3. Circuit permutation and combination means comprising, in combination,a plurality of contacts numbering more than two, and aball havinginsulation in spaced-apart areas on its surface, said areas numberingmore than two and means for supporting said ball in engagement with saidcontacts, whereby to establish circuit connections between such of saidcontacts as engage conductive surface portions of the ball.

Circuit changing means comprising, in combination, a multiplicity ofcontacts arranged about a center, a ball having a multiplicity ofconductive and non-conductive surface areas thereon and being of adiameter to fit into the central space between the contacts inengagement therewith, and means for releasably supporting said ball inposition between the contacts as aforesaid whereby electrical contactmay be effected variously between a conductive surface area and acontact in engagement therewith depending upon the relative positions ofsaid ball on said supporting means.

5. In combination, a ball having conductive and non-conductive surfaceportions spaced apart in relative alternation over the entire surfacethereof, and a plurality of contacts and means mounting the same forengagement as a group with the surface of said ball, whereby a Circircuit connection may be effected between two or more contacts engaginga conductive surface portion on the ball.

6. In combination, a ball having an electrically conductive surface withrelatively non-conductive areas spaced apart thereon, a plurality ofcontacts and means for supporting the same and said ball in mutualengagement whereby electrical connection may be established between anyof said contacts engaged with conductive surface areas of said ball.

'7. Circuit permutating and changing means comprising, in combination, aconductive ball having insulated spots on its surface, a group ofcontacts and means mounting the same for engagement as a group with saidball, means for releasably supporting said ball in engagement with thecontacts as aforesaid, and means for actuating said releasablesupporting means at least one of said contacts being connected to oneterminal of a source of electric power, the remaining contacts beingadapted for connection severally with electrically actuated meansthrough which circuits are closed to the remaining terminal of saidpower source.

8. In combination, a plurality of contacts, and a ball having aconductive surface with irregularly spaced non-conductive areas thereon,and means for supporting said ball in engagement with all of saidcontacts, whereby to establish circuit connections between such of saidcontacts as engage conductive surface portions of the ball.

9. In combination, a plurality of contacts, and a ball having aconductive surface with areas of insulation of different sizedistributed over the surface of the ball, and means for supporting saidball in engagement with all of said contacts, whereby to establishcircuit connections between such of said contacts as engage conductivesurface portions of the ball.

10. In combination, a conductive ball having areas of insulationarranged in a predetermined pattern over its surface, means providing areceptacle for said ball, and a plurality of contacts mounted on saidreceptacle for engagement with said ball therein, whereby variouselectrical circuits may be established between contacts engagingconductive portions of the surface of said ball.

11. In combination, means providing a ball rolling surface having a ballexit therein through which a ball may gravitate, a ball receptaclearranged to receive a ball from said exit, a conductive ball having aplurality of non-conductive surface areas thereon and adapted to berolled over said surface for movement through said exit into saidreceptacle, a plurality of contacts arranged to engage said ball in saidreceptacle to variously engage said conductive and non-conductivesurfaces thereon, and electrically operated instrumentalities connectedseverally in circuit with. said contacts and a power source. forenergization through circuits completed through such of said contacts asengage conductive surface portions of the ball in said receptacle, andreleasable ball supporting means in said receptacle and arranged foroperation from a normal ball-supporting condition to release said ballfor movement out of said receptacle.

12. In combination, means providing a support on which a ball may berolled and having an exit through which said ball may pass, a conductiveball to be rolled on said support and having non-conductive portionsdistributed irregularly on its surface, a bank of contacts arrangedrelative to said exit to engage said ball as a group when said ballmoves through the exit, releasable means for supporting said ball inengagement with said contacts when the ball moves through said exit, andelectrically operated means connected with said contacts and actuated bycompletion of electrical circuits through such of said contacts asengage conductive surface portions of said ball supported as aforesaid.

13. A permutation switch comprising, in combination, a nest including amultiplicity of contacts and means for supporting a ball in position forcontacting engagement with said contacts, and a conductive ball adaptedto fit into said nest and having multiple means on its surface variouslypreventing electrical contact of contacts therewith when the ball is indifferent positions in the nest.

14. A permutation switch comprising, in combination, a. group ofcontacts and means for supporting a ball in position to be engagedsimultaneously by said contacts, and a ball having surface areas whichconstitute an electro-conductive continuum with irregularly distributedareas of insulation thereon and so arranged that said ball may bedisposed in various positions on said supporting means so that differentcontacts will be engaged with conductive or non-conductive areas on theball at different times whereby to establish different circuitconnections through said continuum and the contacts engaging the sameresponsive to changes in the disposition of the ball on the supportingmeans as aforesaid.

15. A circuit changing device comprising an insulating sleeve having aplurality of contacts arranged in special relation about its innersurface, a conductive ball having insulating areas disposed in anon-uniform arrangement on its surface and adapted to fit into saidsleeve in engagement with said contacts, and means for releasablysupporting said ball in said sleeve, electrical connection beingestablished between different contacts at different times through saidball depending upon the position of the ball in the sleeve with respectto whether the contacts engage conductive or non-conductive areasthereon.

16. A circuit changing device comprising a support providing areceptacle for a ball, a ball adapted to fit into said receptacle andhaving conductive and non-conductive surface areas in irregularly spacedrelation thereon, the conductive areas being electricallyinterconnected, and a plurality of contacts mounted on said support tosurround the ball therein and engage the surface thereof, said contactsbeing variously connected in common by engagement with conductivesurface portions of the ball when the latter assumes different positionsin the receptacle to change the relative positions of the conductive andnon-conductive areas with respect to the contacts.

17. A device of the class described comprising in combination, a supportof insulating material having a cylindrical opening therethrough and aplurality of yieldable contact fingers arranged in a circle about theinner wall of said opening so as to engage the surface of a ball thereinand yield to permit passage of said ball through said opening, and aconductive ball having non-conductive spots on its surface inirregularly spaced relation, said ball being of a diameter to passthrough said opening in the support in contact with said fingers.

18. A device of the class described comprising in combination acylindrical insulating sleeve having a plurality of springy contactfingers mounted in circular array around the inner periphery of thesleeve, a conductive ball of a size to fit into said sleeve in contactwith said fingers, said ball having insulating spots formed on itssurface in irregularly spaced relative relation for various engagementwith said contacts dependent upon the position of the ball in thesleeve, means for releasably supporting said ball in said sleeve andincluding a pair of members mounted to extend across the sleeve at oneside of the group of contacts, said members being further mounted formovement toward and away from each other in a direction laterally of thesleeve, spring means normally urging said members toward each other intoball-supporting position in which the distance between said members isinsuiucient to permit said ball to pass therebetween, said members beingmovable away from each other to widen the distance therebetween andpermit said ball to pass out of the sleeve, said members being arrangedand constructed to be wedgedly moved apart to permit the ball to passtherebetween as aforesaid, and means for-wedging said members apart.

19. A circuit changing device comprising a ball having a multiplicity ofconductive and non-conductive surface areas thereon and adapted to bepositioned in engagement with a multiplicity of contacts to establishelectrical connection between such of the contacts as engage conductivesurface portions of the ball.

20. In a device of the class described, a contact nest comprising acylindrical sleeve of insulating material having a plurality of springycontact fingers each attached at one of their ends in a circular arrayaround the inner periphery of said sleeve, the opposite ends of saidfingers being biased toward the center of the sleeve for contactingengagement with a circuit completing ball receivable therein, and meansfor releasably retaining said ball in the nest sleeve and includingsupporting members mounted to extend across the sleeve and upon whichsaid ball rests in engagement with said contacts, said members beingmounted for movement toward and away from each other into and out ofballsupporting position and having parts arranged for engagement with awedging device adapted to be moved in a direction between said membersto move the same apart and out of ball supporting position, and springmeans normally urging said members toward each other into ballsupporting position.

21. A circuit pe-rmutating and changing device for use with a nest ofcontacts spaced with respect to a center to engage a spherical surface,said device comprising a conductive sphere having a plurality, numberingmore than three, of insulated areas irregularly spaced apart on thesurface thereof.

.CALLARD LIVINGSTON.

